Transport packaging for containers and method of unpacking containers

A tray formation for holding a plurality of containers, comprising:

• a first tray part comprising a plurality of pockets configured to receive first ends of the containers;
• and
• a second tray part comprising a corresponding plurality of pockets configured to receive second ends of the containers, the first tray part and the second tray part being configured to hold containers having at least one of a first end forming a shoulder merging into a crimp neck or a second end forming a bottom, or vice versa, the first tray part being identical to the second tray part such that the pockets of both the first tray part and the second tray part have a side wall defining a larger diameter configured to accommodate or laterally secure either the shoulder of the container or the bottom of the container and another side wall defining a smaller diameter configured to accommodate or laterally secure the crimp neck of the container, wherein the pockets of the first tray part and the pockets of the second tray part are identical.

A package, comprising:

• a tray formation comprising a first tray part having a plurality of first pockets and a second tray part removably coupled to the first tray part and having a corresponding plurality of second pockets that are each aligned with a respective one of the first pockets to form a container holder, wherein the first pockets and the second pockets are identical;
• and
• a plurality of containers each held in a respective container holder in mutual separation from one another, each of the containers comprising a first end held in a respective one of the first pockets and a second end held in a respective one of the second pockets, the first tray part being configured such that, when the second tray part is removed so that the second ends of the held containers are free from the pockets of the second tray part, the free second ends of the held containers are free to be brought into mutual contact while the first ends of the held containers are still received in the pockets of the first tray part.